Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy in Forensic Medicine

Abstract

Neonatal encephalopathy is a clinical picture with convulsion, respiratory depression and hypotonia “appeared” in babies born at 35 weeks and after the first month. The clinical picture detected in the cases varies. When hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is suspected clinically, all causes should be evaluated as well as reasons belonging to the mother, the placenta or the child. Many cases that cause medico-legal problems have been reported especially between parents who expect a healthy baby and physicians participating in the delivery process. In this article, it is aimed to develop an algorithm for physicians who medico-legally evaluate HIE, and to gain a standard approach and perspective, by drawing attention to HIE cases that are frequently encountered in forensic medicine practice and claiming medical malpractice for physicians participating in the delivery process.

Keywords

• hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
• forensic medical approach